Marnus Labuschagne took a controversial catch during a Sheffield Shield game which evoked memories of the Herschelle Gibbs in 1999 World Cup.
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Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne was involved in a big controversy that divided the cricketing world. During a Sheffield Shield clash between New South Wales and Queensland, Labuschagne took a catch which he was not in control of. It evoked memories of the drop by Herschelle Gibbs in the 1999 Super Six encounter against Australia off Steve Waugh.
The incident took place towards the end of the New South Wales innings. Baxter Holt, the wicketkeeper, looked to slog a Mitchell Swepson delivery to deep midwicket. However, he miscued the shot and it went to cover. Labuschagne took the catch. However, he tripped. As he tried to regain his balance, the ball slipped out of his hands. There was a big controversy over whether Labuschagne was in control of the catch. However, the umpires gave it out. Holt did not protest the decision.
In the 1999 Super Six encounter in the World Cup, Steve Waugh flicked a full ball to square leg. Herschelle Gibbs seemed to have held the catch. However, as he tried to celebrate, the ball slipped out of his hands. Waugh stood his ground and that laid the base for the mythical line, “You just dropped the World Cup, mate.”
According to the rules, Labuschagne appeared to be not in control of the catch. “The act of making a catch … shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his/her own movement,” according to the ICC rules on taking the catch.
However, since the umpires deemed that Labuschagne was in control, the original decision stayed. The Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and New South Wales ended in a draw. Labuschagne had starred with the bat with a brilliant 112 as Queensland took the lead.
Queensland are currently on top of the table with 30 points while New South Wales are in second position. Western Australia and Tasmania are in third and fourth respectively. The final of the Sheffield Shield will be played on April 15. It is expected that New South Wales and Queensland will once again battle for Australia’s coveted domestic title.
